Carboplatin and chlorambucil combination chemotherapy as treatment for patients with ovarian cancer

• Published in: International journal of gynecological cancer Vol. 4; no. 1; pp. 66 - 71
• Main Authors: Evans, B.D., Chapman, P., Dady, P., Forgeson, G., Perez, D., McKeage, M., Mitchell, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 238 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA Blackwell Scientific Publications 01.01.1994; Blackwell Science Ltd; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: chemotherapy; Ovarian cancer
• ISSN: 1048-891X; 1525-1438
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1525-1438.1994.04010066.x

Fifty‐six patients with ovarian cancer (three stage IC, nine stage II, 33 stage III and II stage IV) were treated with carboplatin 350 mg m−2 i.v. day 1 and chlorambucil orally 0.15 mg kgm−1 days 1–7 inclusive, repeated every 28 days for eight courses. The regimen was well tolerated and was virtually free of nephro‐ and neurotoxicity. Grade III or IV hematology toxicity occurred in 18 patients but only 31 or 330 courses administered were delayed. Of 40 assessable patients eight achieved a clinical/radiologic complete response and 17 a clinical/radiologic partial response. Actuarial survival at 50 months was 65% for stage II patients, 27% for stage III patients and no stage IV patients survived beyond 20 months. Forty‐two per cent of patients with residual disease less 2 cm survived 50 months, compared with 44% of patients with moderate volume (2–5 cm) residual disease and 6% of patients with bulk residual disease. This is an active, well tolerated regimen. However, only patients with small volume residual disease have a significant chance of prolonged survival.